So you’ve found a scent you love. That’s great, but will the cologne last long enough to make it worth your while? You need a fragrance that meets your needs and the demands of your long schedule, and that won’t fade after just a couple of hours. To find the cologne that can keep up with your lifestyle, start with this list of the best perfumes for men that last long.

How Long Do Perfumes Last?

How long a scent lasts depends on a number of factors. Here’s a quick guide to fragrance concentrations and longevity:

Eau Fraiche and Mists. These products feature the lowest scent concentrations – somewhere around 3%. While they’re great for a quick refresher, you can only expect these types of fragrances to stick around for one or two hours.

Eau de Cologne. Eau de cologne’s staying power will be about the same as eau fraiche; the main difference is that eau de cologne is made up of more alcohol and eau fraiche contains more water. This type of fragrance contains about 3-5% concentration of scent and can be expected to last for one to three hours.

Eau de Toilette. Budget-conscious men may want to opt for eau de toilette versions of their favorite colognes, as these are less concentrated and therefore less expensive. They are made up of 5-15% fragrance concentration and their scent lingers for somewhere around three or four hours.

Eau de Parfum. This is probably the most popular kind of fragrance, with a concentration of 15-20%. Opt for eau de parfum when you want your fragrance to get you through six to eight hours.

Parfum. Typically, parfum has a concentration of around 15-20% percent, so it’s your best bet when it comes to long-lasting fragrance. You can expect a parfum to last for eight hours and beyond.

What Makes Some Perfumes Last Longer?

In addition to the fragrance concentration, there are a couple of other factors that influence how long a perfume lasts. The first is the actual scent notes. If you know anything about fragrances, you’ll know that they have top notes, middle notes and base notes. The top notes fade away the fastest, then the middle notes, leaving the base notes to outlast them all.

Because base notes last the longest in the fragrance, colognes with stronger base notes may appear to last longer, while subtler base notes may not be noticeable after a while. Some low-end fragrances skip base notes altogether, making for a short-lived aromatic experience.

The other factor that affects how long a scent lasts is your skin. Perfume requires oils on your skin in order to sink in and be diffused, so if you have dry skin your cologne may not last very long. How and where you apply your cologne also impacts how long you can smell it.

How to Increase a Cologne’s Longevity

To maximize the longevity of your favorite scent, follow these tips:

Go for Pulse Points. Your pulse points include your wrists and behind your ears – the places where your skin is thinnest so your pulse is strongest. Applying fragrance to these points means it’s closest to your body heat and can be diffused efficiently over time.

Layer Your Fragrances. If your favorite cologne brand also offers a scented body lotion or other scented product, try using the products together. This can give the scent the extra boost it needs to linger for longer.

Don’t Rub. When you spray cologne on your wrists, you may automatically rub your wrists together from habit, but this can cause the top notes to dissipate faster. Instead, spray and then give it a few seconds to absorb on its own.

Moisturize First. The best time to apply cologne is right after a shower, when the heat has opened your pores and your body wash and body lotion have had a chance to sink in and hydrate your skin. Properly moisturized skin holds fragrance the best, so keep this in mind when you’re hoping for cologne longevity.

Check the Expiration Date. In ideal conditions, fragrances expire after three to five years, but if your cologne has been exposed to heat, air or sunlight it can happen sooner. After a perfume has expired, its scent will be dulled, so make sure you’re using a fresh fragrance for the best results.

Spray on Clothes. Clothing holds fragrance well, so if you’re expecting a long day it might be a good idea to give your clothes a spritz, too.